Gold layer
14k Gold-Filled
Up to 15% of total weight
Gold-Plated
Ultra-thin layer
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Ruby is the red gem variety of the mineral corundum, made of aluminum oxide. Its color comes from chromium, which replaces some of the aluminum atoms in the crystal lattice. The more chromium it contains, the deeper the red. All other color varieties of the same mineral are called sapphire; only red corundum may be called ruby. With a Mohs hardness of 9, it is the hardest natural mineral after diamond and highly scratch-resistant. Fine rutile needles inside, known in the trade as silk, often give it a soft sheen. This teardrop shows a rich red with a violet undertone.
You can choose between 925 sterling silver and the warm tone of 14K gold-filled. 14K gold-filled is a real, thick layer of gold that is firmly bonded to a base metal. Unlike simple gold plating, which is only a wafer-thin surface layer, wears off over time, and fades fairly quickly, 14K gold-filled keeps its warm gold tone for years. The ruby is polished into a soft teardrop shape and drilled, so it sits directly on the fine chain without a setting and stays centered as you wear it. Each stone is selected individually and strung by hand. The teardrop measures about 8 to 10 mm. You choose the length when you order: 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in).
In Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, king of gems. In India, it was considered a talisman; in Burma, warriors wore it as a sign of courage; and in the Middle Ages, it stood for love and passion. By tradition, it also stands for vitality. As the birthstone for July and the stone for a 40th wedding anniversary, it makes a very personal gift.
The pendant and chain are water-resistant and made for everyday wear. To make your necklace last as long as possible, you should still avoid prolonged contact with salt water and chlorinated water, as well as perfume, lotions, and harsh cleaning products. After swimming in the ocean or a pool, it's best to rinse the necklace with clean water and dry it carefully.
Because ruby is a treated stone, skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners, and protect it from high heat and sudden changes in temperature. With a Mohs hardness of 9, it is very scratch-resistant, but it still doesn't like hard knocks. Store the necklace dry and apart from your other jewelry, and its color and shine will stay beautiful for a long time.
Ruby is red corundum, chemically aluminum oxide, with a Mohs hardness of 9.
The color is created by chromium in the crystal lattice, the more chromium, the deeper the red.
Ruby is the official birthstone of July and is considered the king of gemstones in Sanskrit.
In Sanskrit, ruby is called Ratnaraj, king of precious stones. Traditionally, it stands for love, passion and vitality and, as the birthstone of July, is a personal gift.
100% genuine ruby, treated
- 925 sterling silver or 14K gold-filled
- Fine chain, your choice of 45 cm (17.7 in) or 40 cm (15.7 in)
- Stone size: about 8 to 10 mm
- Pendant and chain are water-resistant
- July birthstone
The Lumière Factor is my transparent assessment of each stone's play of light. Each stone is rated in 4 categories of 0 to 25 points.
0-60
Basic
61-75
Good
76-89
Very good
90-100
Exceptional
Semi-translucent with a silky shimmer
Rich red with violet undertones
Cleanly polished teardrop shape all around
Soft silky shine instead of hard sparkle
3–6 working days
€4.95 · free shipping from €150
5–10 working days
from €6.95 · Europe free from €170
Ruby is the official birthstone for July and is traditionally linked to the zodiac signs Cancer and Leo. In Sanskrit it is called ratnaraj, the king of gemstones. By tradition it is said to stand for love, passion and vitality, which makes it a personal gift for anyone born in July.
It is a genuine, naturally grown ruby, meaning red corundum, not a synthetic and not an imitation. It has been treated, and I disclose that openly. For ruby this is normal: almost all corundum in the jewelry trade is heated to improve color and clarity. This change is stable and permanent.
The teardrop measures about 8 to 10 mm. It is drilled and sits directly on the chain without a setting, so it stays centered while you wear it and hardly adds any bulk. Because every stone is picked by hand, the shade, pattern and shape vary slightly from piece to piece.
14K gold-filled is the higher-quality choice, and that's exactly why I only offer 14K gold-filled. Gold-plated jewelry has just a wafer-thin layer of gold on top, which wears off over time and fades faster. 14K gold-filled, on the other hand, has a much thicker, firmly bonded layer of gold. It costs a little more than plating, but it lasts so long that you won't have to keep buying new necklaces, and you can enjoy its warm gold tone for years.
The pendant and chain are water-resistant. Still, avoid prolonged contact with perfume, lotions and harsh cleaners, don't use ultrasonic cleaners, and keep it away from high heat and sudden temperature changes. Store the necklace dry and separate from other jewelry: with a Mohs hardness of 9, ruby is very scratch-resistant, but as a treated stone it is sensitive to hard knocks.
The Difference
Our Choice
14k Gold-Filled
Standard Jewelry
Gold-Plated
Gold layer
14k Gold-Filled
Up to 15% of total weight
Gold-Plated
Ultra-thin layer
Durability
14k Gold-Filled
Lasts many years with good care
Gold-Plated
Often wears off within months
Tarnishing
14k Gold-Filled
Rarely tarnishes
Gold-Plated
Discolours quickly
Wear
14k Gold-Filled
Keeps its new look
Gold-Plated
Flakes and wears off
Skin tolerance
14k Gold-Filled
Gentle on the skin
Gold-Plated
Can irritate the skin
Value
14k Gold-Filled
High quality and long-lasting
Gold-Plated
Cheaper, but less durable
Origin of the stones
Every stone has a journey and I want that journey to be fair and transparent.
Origin · Ruby
The ruby in this necklace typically comes from the Montepuez deposits in Mozambique, before each drop is hand-strung in my studio.

Carola
Founder · Designer
The woman behind Handmade Art
I am a biomedical scientist by profession and an artist by profession. In my studio in Oberhausen, I make each necklace by hand, stone by stone, bead by bead.
8+
Years of craftsmanship
1.672
wearers
100%
Unique pieces
Manufacturer Handmade Art by Carola · Carola Schade · Biefangstraße 1, 46149 Oberhausen, Germany · hello@by-carola.com
Teardrop Ruby Necklace
Gold / With chain / 45 cm